Baseball game



1941 D. s. (ALEXANDER 2,258,272

BASEBALL GAME Filed Sept. 8, 1938 11 sheetssheet 1 INVENTOR. fieZfierZJb en cerfllexander Oct. 7, 1941 2 D. s. ALEXANDER BASEBALL GAME FiledSept. 8, 1958 ll Sheets-Sheet 2 L D. s. ALEXANDER 2,258,272

BASEBALL GAME Filed Sept. 8, 1938 11 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. fielerijaw? qrfllewczndef M dam 1% 1941; D]. s. ALEXANDER 2,258,272

BAS EBALL GAME Ami ' INVENTOR. fielberi J benceru lemnder.

D. s. ALEXANDER BASEBALL GAME Oct. 7, 1941.

11 Sheet-Sh -et 5 Filed Sept. 8, 1938 my my MOQ O 0 G o #00 Go @0 0 0 0D. S. ALEXANDER BASEBALL GAME Oct. 7, 1941.

Filed Sept. 8, 1958 11 Sheets-Sheet as INVENTOR DeZbe/ SperzcarfllemndgrO 1941- D. s. ALEXANDER 2,253,272

BASEBALL GAME Filed Sept. 8, 1958 ll Sheets-Sheet 'T INVENTOR. BYflelberijaencerfllexcmder:

D. S. ALEXANDER BASEBALL GAME Oct. 7, 1941.

Filed Sept. 8, 1938 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Rs QM Oct. 7, 1941. D; s.ALEXANDER 2,258,272

BASEBALL GAME Filed Sept. 8, 1938 11 Sheets-Sheet l0 l 1811 16/ 15/1814/ i! r INVENTOR.

15 1 I 581.56) pekcerfllerwzden Oct. 7, 1941.

D. S. ALEXANDER BASEBALL GAME Filed Sept. 8, 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet 11 AWUL @Q ms E Q Q Patented Oct. 7, 1941 OFFICE 2,258,272 BASEBALL GAMEDelbert Spencer Alexander, Evanstcn, 111,, as-

signor of one-half to James Turner Alexander,

J r., Evanston, 11l.

Application September s, 1938, SerialNo. 228,918 21 Claims. (01.. 213-88) "The invention is an improvement in electrical methods of playingbaseball whereby the game is played by two or more persons. One playerpitches and the other player (or players) bats. The pitcher has aselection of pitches from which he chooses each pitch he makes, and thebatter has a selection of swings, etc., from which he makes his choices.The pitcher pitches and the batter swings and the result is recorded ona paper playing field *by light bulbs lighting under the field andshining through the paper, according to the selections made by thepitcher and batter. The primary object of the invention is to have theplay of the game depend upon the skill of the players in makingselections rather'than upon luck due to mechanical design. The secondaryobject is to help a player of the real game develop a better battingaverage, because it is necessary for him to judge the opposing pitcherquite accurately in order to get a hit,

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear fromthe following detail description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings illustrating several preferred embodiments of theinvention. In these draw ings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one 'form of the invention embodied ina horizontal, table type of device;

Figure 2 is the code chart followedthroughout the construction of thegame, illustrating the different plays resulting from the nineselections aifordedthe pitcher and the six selections afforded thebatter;

Figure 3 isa simplified circuit diagram to show a typical play resultingfrom one selection made by the pitcher and one selectionmade by thebatter; I

Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectionalview throughth-e cabinetor housing which encloses the working parts of the game;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the playing field of the game,indicating the various indie-la which are illuminated by the lighting ofthe lights;

"Figure 5A is a plan view of the 'apertured top board to whichthettranslucent sheet representing the playing field'is secured;

Figure 5B is a fragmentary sectional view through one of the aperturesin this top board, as represented by the section plane 53-518;

Figure 5C is a reduced diagrammatic plan view showing how the playingfield sheet is'secured to the apertured top board;

:Figure 16 is a plan view of the projection board on which the lightbulbs are placed and arranged;

Figure 6A is a vertical sectional View showing one of these light bulbssurrounded laterally by a reflector, this view corresponding to asection taken substantially on the plane of the line fiAa-efiA cf Figure6;

Figure 6B is a perspective view showing this relation of light bulb andreflector;

Figure 7 is a simplified circuit diagram showing how one of the battersselection switches is wired to one circuit of each of the severalpitchers selection switches;

Figure 8 is another simplified circuit diagram showing how one of thepitchers selection switches is wired to the siX selections afforded thebatter;

.'Figure 8A is a detail perspective view showing how the successivepairs of contact springs in each of the pitchers selection switches isassembled together in insulated relation;

Figure 9 is a front elevational view showing the switch plate of thebatters selection switch;

Figure 9A is a horizontal sectional view through this plate takenapproximately on the plane of the line 9A-BA of Figure 9, and alsodiagrammatically illustrating the circuit connections from the ninepitchers selection switches;

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of the plate or panel in which thepitchers selection switches are mounted;

Figure 10A is a diagrammatic sectional View,

taken approximately on the plane of the line IA-40A of Figure 10, andillustrating two of the circuit connections responding to the pitchersmaster control or pitch switch; Y Figure 11 is a combined circuitdiagram which incorporates in one figure the circuit connections shownin- Figures '7 to 10A inclusive;

Figure 12 is a simplified circuit diagram illustrating the employment ofautomatically operated totalizing or registering means which may beemployed in my improved game; and

Figure 13 is another diagram illustrating these circuit connections.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a model which gives a general view of thegame.- It is built to use six volt flashlight bulbs with a transformer.The end from which the batter plays is shown, while the pitcher playsfrom the op posite end. On the top is the playing field 3| on which theplay of the game is recorded. The top '32 is hinged so that it may beraised for interior service, and is covered with glass 33 to protect thepaper playing field. Along one side is a set of auxiliary switches 34 tomanually record the men on base, and score. Detailed description of theconstruction and operation of the game is given hereinafter.

The fundamental principle of the selection system is shown in Figure 2.It is the code chart followed throughout the construction of the game.'It also describes the method of playing and the results obtained. Forexample, the pitcher selects to pitch chest high. The batter, Well say,guesses the pitch to be down the middle, or either side of the middle.He, therefore, selects to swing down the middle. The correspondingresult is a fly out to center field. Had the batter selected to swingchest-high, thereby guessing the pitch exactly, his accuracy would havebeen rewarded with a triple .to right field. would have recorded asstrike chest-high, etc. The content of the code chart and the subsequentwiring are rearrangeable to make the play of the game closer or moreopen if desired.

The electrical application of the code chart principle is diagrammed inits simplest form in Figure 3. When the pitcher closes his chest highswitch and the batter closes his swing down the middle switch, thecircuit is completed,

causing the fiy out to center field bulb to light.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional diagram of the game and how the bulbs bare placed under the paper playing field 3| and enclosed in refiectorsll so that the light from the bulbs is reflected to their correspondingplay on the playing field above. Figure 5 shows the type of playingfield used, It is of green paper with white lettering, while the baseline is of white or brown paper with black lettering. There are no holesor perforations in the paper, only the lettering on its face.

Figure 5A illustrates the top 32 of the game on which the paper playingfield 3| is pasted, Figure 5C. Openings A3 are cut in the top to permitthe light from the bulbs to shine up through the playing field. Theopenings are cut so that they coincide with the corresponding play onthe playing field. Just under the top is the projection board 54, Figure6, on which the bulbs are placed and arranged. They are arranged fromthe same pattern that the openings 43 in the top 32 are cut. They,therefore, coincide with the openings when the top 32 is folded downover them, and project their light through the openings to the playingfield. Each bulb and socket is enclosed in a reflector ll, as shown inFigure SE, to focus the light to the play above it only, and is wired tocorrespond with that particular play.

This system of wiring, Figure 3, andbulb placement is used in wiringeach play of the code chart, although the wiring of nine pitchersselections and six batters selections make it more elaborate, andnecessitates the use of more competent switches as is shown in Figures?and 8 and described as follows: 7 g V V Figure 7 shows how one of thecontacts of the batters selection switch I is wired to one circuit ofeach of the pitchers switches to 59, inclusive. Figure 8 shows in detailhow one of the pitchers selection switches is wired, diagrammatically,to the six selective positions H to l6, inclusive, of the batters switch10. Each of the nine; pitchers switches 5i to 59, inclusive, is capableof closing six separate circuits at once.

Had he selected to let pass. the pitch said selection, thus completing acircuit and causing the bulb on that particular circuit to light.

Each of the six separate circuits of'each pitchers For example: thepitcher selects to pitch outside high, the batter guesses the pitch tobe chest high, therefore decides to swing chest-high. The pitcherpitches by closing his outside high switch. The batter bats by closinghis swing chest-high switch. The result is that the circuit with therightfield-fly out bulb on it is completed, causing the bulb to lightand project its light to the playing field at the designated spot asheretofore described and illustrated, Figure 4.

Figures 9 and 9A show the ultimate arrangement and operation of thebatters selection. He should be at bat before the pitch;'then, after thepitch has been made, proceed along the slot he has chosen, completingthe circuit at the end of the slot. When the batter is at bat, the atbat bulb is burningunder home plate on the playing field, Figure 5,informing the pitcher that he is ready to receive the pitch.

Figures 10 and 10A illustrate the pitchers end of the game. The pitch isused to inform the batter that the pitcher has made his selection andhas pitched. It operates a make-andbreak switch as diagrammed. A lightbulb is burning under the pitchers box on the playing field when nothingis being pitched. After the pitcher makes his selection and the batteris at bat, he pushes in the pitch, breaking the in box circuit andcompleting the positive connection wired to the selection switchesbelow. When the in box bulb goes out the batter is informed that thepitch has been made.

Referring now to Figure 11, the push button that actuates the pitchersmaster switch (the pitch) is indicated at 59, and the nine push buttonsthat actuate the pitch selecting switches are indicated at 5| to 59,inclusive. These several push-buttons are all mounted in a panel 61disposed at one end of the playing cabinet, as shownin Figures .4 and10. Considering now the batters selecting switch, which is indicatedgenerally at 10, this switch is disposed at the other end of the playingcabinet and comprises the actuatable switch element Ill which is movablehorizontally and vertically within a slotted guide plate 79" composed ofinsulating material. This guide plate has three horizontal righthandslots terminating in end contacts ll, l2,.and 73', and also has threehorizontal lefthand slots terminating in end contacts l4, l5, and 16. Avertical slot establishes communication between all of the horizontalslots. The inner end of the switch arm has any suitable universal jointmounting 18 for accommodating horizontal and vertical movement of theswitch arm. The nine pitchers selecting switches til-59 and the sixbatters selecting positions I l-lfi control the selective energizationof a series of lights 8| to I34.

As pointed out above in connection with Figures 7 to 10A inclusive,these lights are all connected together in a. network ofconductorsextending between the pitchers selective switches 5l--59 andthe batters selective switch 10. "This network comprises sixmainconductors or busses III to 146, inclusive, which lead from the six endcontacts H to 75, respectively, of the batters selective switch I0. Eachof the lights 81-! 34 has oneterminal thereof connected with one ofthese main conductors or busses. Each of the pitchers selective switches5l--59 comprises six pairs of coacting contact springs. In Figure 8, thesix pairs of contact springs of the outside high selection switch 5| areillustrated, andin Figure 11 successive pairs of these springs, aredesignated in connection with successive switches 5-'l59, these pairsbeing designated as follows: {via-5w, 520+52d, 53e--53f, Edy- 5471,55i--557', and 58Ic56m. The lights Bi -J34 are associated in groups withindividual pitch selecting switches 51- 59, one of the contact springsof each pair Sid- 51b, etc., being connected with successive lights ofthis respective group of lights. All of the other contact springs of thesuccessive pairs are multiple connected with a main feeder or bus l5l;Thus, in Figure 11 it will be seen that the alternate contact springs5m, 5lc, 5le, Ely, 5h, and 511s are connected respectively with oneterminal of each of the bank of lights, 81, 90, 99, 108,. H1, and I26,respectively. The other alternate contact springs 51b, Sid, 51f, 5lh,5l7', and

517111 are all multiple connected with the feeder or bus conductor 15!.This same connected relation applies to the other pitchers selectingswitches and their associated lights. All of the contact springs of oneof the aforesaid groups in each switch are connected for simultaneousactuation through the mounting of insulating spacer blocks. on thesesprings serving to transmit motion to adjacent springs, or through theuse of a single insulating rod mechanically connecting all of theseactuatable springs for simultaneous motion. The feeder I5! is connectedthrough the contact springs a and 50b of the pitchers master controlswitch 50 (the pitch) with the battery or other source of current supplysee Figures 10A and 11. The other side of this source of current supply,represented as the negathis side, is connected to ground, such beingrepresented either by the frame of the machine or by a ground wire. and59b of the master switch 50 normally stand separated so that positivebattery supply is not impressed upon the feeder'leading to the pitcher'sselecting switches 5i-59 until after the master control switch 50 ispressed to its closed position. The circuit occurring through any one ofthe lights-8l-l34 is completed through the ground connection leadingfrom the universal joint mounting 18 of the batters movable switchmember it. As shown in Figure 10A, the master switch 50 also comprisesthe two normally closed contact springs 50c and 50d which govern thecircuit of the in box bulb I52. Similarly, the batters readiness isindicated by the at bat bulb I53 (Figures 9A and 11) the circuit ofwhich is completed through any one of a plurality of contacts I55 whichare mounted on the guide plate it" of the batters selecting switch thesecontacts being disposed at therentrance end of the slots ll-1'6. Whenthebatter is at bat, in readiness to receive the pitch, he holds themovable switch element Tl! in engagement with the contact I55, at theentrance end of the slot that he has elected to play, therebycomplet-ing a circuit i through the source of current The contactsprings 50a I supply B through bulb I53, contact I55, switch member 10"and ground through the universal joint mounting 18.

It will be understood that the lights 81-4 34 and the circuits have beengraphically arranged in Figure 11 to facilitate an understanding of thecircuit relations, For example, 54 individual lights are shown, groupedin columns and rows corresponding to the column androw grouping of theindicia shown in the chart of Figure 2. Thus, these two figures of thedrawings can be read together, light 8| corresponding to fly out toright field, light 82 corresponding to single to right field, etc. Ofcourse, in the installation of the lights beneath the playing field 3|,those lights which represent actual flight of the ball from the bat,such as a hit, a fly-out, an infield out, a hunt, a foul, etc., arelocated at corresponding points of the playing field to graphicallyrepresent such flight of the ball. These may be regarded as afirstseries of lights and cooperating indioia designating plays in whichthe ball has been hit by the batter.

On the other hand, those lights which represent strikes, balls, etc.,are located under the ruled or tabular areas I51 and 158 at the lowercorners of the playing field, as shown in Figure 5. The strike tabulararea I51 contains the lefthand column of strike indicia designated chesthigh, down middle, and knee high, these being adapted to be respectivelyilluminated by the lights I H], H 2, and H4. The righthand indicia inthis same area, designated swung and missed can be arranged to beilluminated by six separate lights 81, 88, 89, 99, I00, and IE, or onelight may be wired to function for the three lights 81, 88, and 89, andanother light may be wired to function for the other three lights 99,Hit, and Iill. The ball tabular area I58 contains the ball indiciainside high, inside middle, and inside low, these three beingilluminated respectively by the lights Hi8, H3, and H6; and this tabulararea also contains the indicia outside high, outside middle, and outsidelow, which three areas are illuminated respectively by r the lights ")8,H I, and H5. It will be seen from the foregoing that whenever the playis a called strike or a swung and missed strike, there will be anindication or momentary record of such play at the tabular area 151,and, in the case of a called strike, the indication or record willdesignate whether the strike was chest high, down the middle, or kneehigh with respect to the height of the batter. Similarly, it will alsobe seen that whenever the play is a called ball, an indicationortemporary record is flashed at the tabular area I58 designating anyone of six diiierent locations of the pitch with respect to the plateand with respect to the height of the batter. The above described lightsand tabular areas I51 and I58 may be regarded as a second series oflights and cooperating indicia designating called strikes,swung-and-missed strikes, and balls, and also serving to indicate thelocation of the called strikes andballs relatively to the batter and tothe plate.

' The use of six separate pairs of contact springs, such as the springs5| a-5l b, 5ic--5ld, etc., for each of the nine pitchers selectingswitches'5l to 59,'inclusive, is advantageous for several reasons.Forexample, in lieu of using the six bulbs8'1, 88, 89, 99, I09, and 10!,for illuminating the swung and missed indicia of the tabular areaIS'L'such can be done by two lights, one to take the place of lights 81,88, and 89, and the'other to take the place of lights 99, I09, and IIJI,without causing short circuits or otherwise interfering with the circuitnetwork. Furthermore, this use of six separate pairs of contact springsin each switch I59 enables rotary switches to be readily connected intothe system in situations Where it is desired that a record of the cuts,balls, strikes, etc., be automatically maintained during the play ofeach inning, as hereinafter described in connection with Figures 12 and13.

When a base hit or walk is made, a simple off-and-on toggle switch 3 1,heretofore shown in Figure l, is manually operated to light the bulbsunder the particular base. The scoring system is likewise manuallyoperated. It comprises a tabular area I59 which is adapted to beilluminated under any one or more of the four numbers 1, 2, 4, and 8, soas to be capable of registering up to fifteen runs, Figure 5. Thenumbers desired that are not listed are obtained by combinations ofthose listed. For example: if three runs have scored, both the 1 and 2would be on; if four runs score, only the 4 would be on; if seven score,the 1, 2, and 4 would be on; etc. The balls, strikes and outs can bemanually operated in the same manner as just described for themen-on-base. They also can be automatically registered byelectromagnetic step-up relays as each ball, strike, or out is made, asis diagrammed in Figure 112 and described herein as follows:

Figure 12 shows how the outlets for the pitchers selection switches 5I59are wired to respective A. C. relays I1I, I12, I13, etc., before beingwired to the pitch switch 50, instead of being wired directly asdiagrammed in preceding figures. This figure diagrammaticallyillustrates the operation of the automatic registering of the balls.Well say the pitcher has pitched outside low (his switch 58) and thebatter decides to let pass (his switch contact The play records onthe'playing field as a ball-outside low (light I I5) and at the sametime energizes the balls A. C. relay IN. This in turn closes the circuitto the step-up solenoid I Bib of the balls rotary switch I8I, causingthe rotating switch arm I8Ia of that rotary switch to mechanically moveto the ball-one contact. This rotating switch arm IBM is connected tothe positive and the contacts are wired to their respective bulbs, thento the negative, completing the circuit. After the play is made and thepitcher and batter release the pitch switch 58 and the bat switch 18respectively, ball 1 will be registered on the playing field and willremain lighted until another ball is made, thereby stepping the relay toball 2, etc., or until a hit or out is made, which will automaticallyreset the relay as mentioned hereinafter. The fourth ball contact iswired to the balls reset solenoid I8Ic and automatically resets therotary switch I8I back to its home position.

The strikes and outs are wired principally the same, except that thethird strike not only resets the strikes rotary switch I82, but is wiredto the step-up solenoid I831) of the cuts rotary switch I83, which inturn registers an out. The outs rotary switch requires two A. C. relays,one, I13, for closing the circuit to the cuts step-up solenoid I831),and another, I15, to reset the balls and strikes as illustrated. Thereason for using two separate A. C.

relays I13 and I15 is to prevent the fourth ball and hits from recordingas cuts. The A. C. relay I14 energized by hits merely resets the ballsand strikes rotary switches. For example, suppose there; are two strikesand one ball on the batter. The pitcher selects to pitch outside low.The batten-expecting the pitch to be low, swings knee-high. The resultis a single-to-leftfield. This, being a hit, causes the hit A. C. relayI14 to close the circuit that resets the balls and strikes rotaryswitches I8I and I82, leaving the game ready for the next batter.-

The automatic registering system illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 issimilar to the manual registering system illustrated in Figures 1--11except that instead of having positive polarity conducted from the pitchswitch 50 directly to the alternate contacts of the series of springcontacts Sic-59m, this positive polarity is compelled to pass from saidpitch switch 50 through the windings of the relays I1I, I12, I13, I14,etc., before making connection with any of the spring contacts 5 Ia59m.Each of said relays has multiple connection with the appropriate springcontacts 5| a59m which are related to the function of that relay. Forexample, the balls relay I1I has multiple connection through pitchersselection switch 5| with lights I08 and H1; through selection switch 54with light III; through selected switch 56 with light H3; throughselection switch 58 with light H5; and through selection switch 59 withlights II 6 and I 25. Each of these lights denotes a ball, as shown inFigures 2 and 5, and hence upon the illumination of any one of saidlights the balls relay I1I must be energized to ad Vance the ballsrotary switch I8I one step. What has been said above regarding thisballs relay, also applies to the strikes relay I12, the cuts relays I13and I15; and the hits relay I14, each having its winding connected inmultiple through the contact springs Blur-59m with the particular lightswhich represent the functions or values individual to those relays. Forexample, all lights representing strikes would then have multipleconnection through appropriate contacts Nah-59m with the strikes relayI12, etc. In Figure 13 the pitchers selection switches 5I59 are shown inthe same relation as in Figure 11, except that the circuit connectionsleading from the aforementioned spring contacts through the lights 8 II34 to the batters selection switch 10 have been omitted in order toavoid obscuring the illustration. Thus, the electrical connections fromall of the alternate contacts 5m, 52a, 53a 5Ic, 52c, 530, etc., havebeen omitted. Of course, it will be understood that the three balllights IBIi, I 8I7', and I8Ilc are located under the (1) (2) and (3)indication of the ball tabular area I58, as shown in Figure 2. Aspreviously remarked, the advancement of the switch arm IBIa to thefourth ball contact I8Ih energizes the reset solenoid Nile and resetsthe balls rotary switch I8I, and such energization of the reset solenoidIBIc also resets the strikes rotary switch.

I am aware that prior to my invention electrical methods of playingbaseball have been invented; therefore, I do not claim to be theoriginator of electric baseball games, broadly; but I claim:

1. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a first series of lightsand cooperating indicia designating plays in of pitchers ing held markedthereon, a first series of lights and cooperating ind-icia designatingplays in which the ball has been hit by the batter, a second series oflights and cooperatingindicia which the ball has been hit by the batter,a second series of lights and cooperating indicia designating calledstrikes, swung and missed strikes, and balls, said lights andcooperating indi'cia indicatingythe location of said called strikes andsaid balls relatively to the height ofthe batter and to the width of theplate, a plurality selection switches representing throws pitched to thebatter'at" differentpositioris relatively to the height of the batterand to the width of the plate, each of said selection switches being ofpush button type comprising a multiplicity of pairs of contacts adaptedupon closing of the respective switch to engage with each other incircuit. closing'pairsmaintained out of contact with adjacent pairs; apitchers master switch controlling the energization of all of saidpitchers selection switches, an fIn box signal," contacts responsive tosaid pitchers master switch for controlling said In box" signal, abatters selection switch comprising a vertically and laterally movableswitch handle and a guide member having a plurality of notches thereinfor guiding the motion of said handle to diife'rent circuit closingpositions representing 2 different plays by the batter including swingsat diiierent-heights above the plate, an At bat signal, contacts at theentrance ends of said notches adapted to beengaged by said switch handleto energize said At bat 'sign'aLfand con- 3 taots atthe far endsof saidnotches adapted to 'be engaged bysaid switch handle to energize saidfirst and second series of lights, and an electrical network connectingsaid pitchers selection switches and said batters selection switch withsaid lights whereby appropriately related pitches land swings willilluminate appropriate lights of said first series, and whereby thelocation of called strikes and balls relativelyto the batter 40 and tothe plate will be indicated by appropriate T lights of said secondseries.

I 2. In a baseball game of; the class described, the combination of agame board having a playdesigna-ting called strikes and called balls*and indicating the locationof said strikes and balls r relatively tothe height of the batter and to; the width of the plate, a plurality ofpitchers selec' tion switches representing throws pitched tothe batterat different positions relatively to the height of the batter] and tothe width of the plate, each of said selection switches being of pushbutton type comprising a multiplicity of pairs of contacts adapted uponclosing of the respective switch to engage with each other in circuitclosing pairs maintained outof contact with adjacent pairs, at pitchersmaster switch I electrically connected with one of the contacts C011etch-cooperating pair of contaots in each pitchers selecting switch; theothen'contacts of each cooperating pair being connected with Wappropriate lights of said first and second series i of lights, abatters selecti'en switch cbmpris-ing a vertically and laterallyi-novable switch handle and a guidernember a plurality of notchestherein for'guiding the motion of said handle to different circuitclosing positions representing-1 different plays by the batter includingswings-"at 7 different heights above the plate, an At bat signal,contacts at the entrance ends of said notches adapted to be engagedbysaidswitch handle to energize said At bat signatand contacts at thefar ends of said notches adapted to be engaged by said switch handle toenergize said first and second series of lights, and electricalconductors connecting the contacts of said batters selection switch withsaid lights whereby appropriately related pitches and swingswill-illuminate appropriate lights of said first series, and whereby thelocation of called strikes andballs relatively to the batter and to theplate will be indicated by appropriate lights of said second series. r

3. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a first series of lightsand cooperating indicia designating plays in which the ball has beenhitby the batter, a second series of lights and cooperating indiciadesignating called strikesv and called balls and indicating the locationof said strikes and balls relatively to the height of the batter and tothe width of the plate, a plurality of pitchens selection switchesrepresenting throws pitchedto the batter at different positionsrelatively to the height of the batter and to the width of the plate,each of said selection switches being of push button type comprising amultiplicity of pairs of contacts adapted upon closing of; therespective switch to engage withleach other in circuit closing pairsmaintained out of Contact with adjacent pairs, a pitchers master switchcontrolling the energization of all of said pitchers selection switches,an In box signal, contacts; responsive to said pitchers master switchfor controlling said In box signal, a plurality of battersselectingswitch contacts rep resenting different plays by the batter includingswings at different heights relatively to the plate, and an electricalnetwork connecting the pitchers selection switches and said battersselecting switch contacts with said lights whereby appropriately relatedpitches and swings will illuminate appropriate-lights of said firstseries, and

whereby the locationlof called strikes and balls relatively to thebatter and to-the platewill be series,lsaidsecond series of lightsandsaid network cooperating with saidpitchers'selection switches andwith said batters selecting switch contacts to indicate whether the.pitch is a ball or a, strike when the batter chooses to let the pitchpass.

5 4..In a baseball game of the class described, the combination o-f agame boardhaving a playingfield marked thereon; afirst series of lights.and cooperating indicia associated withsaid board; to designate playsin which the ball has been. hit-by the batter, a second series of lightsand cooperating indiciaassociated with said Aboard designating calledstrikes and balls and indicating the locationof said strikes relativelyto the height of the batter or to the width of; the plate, a pluralityof pitchers selecting switch contacts representing throws pitched" tothe batter at difierent heights relatively to the batter batterincluding swings atdiffe rent heights rel .atively to the plate, and anelectrical network connecting said pitchers selecting switch contactsandsaid'batters selecting switch contacts with said, lights in a permanentrelation whereby thepl ays resulting from the batter hitting the ballare positively predetermined in accordance with the law of averagesapplicable to the localtion of the pitch as selectedby the pitchersselecting switch contacts and the location of the swing as selected bythe batters selecting switch contacts, and whereby the location ofcalled strikes and balls relatively to the batter or to the plate willbe indicated by the illumination of appropriate lights of said secondseries when the batter chooses to let the pitch pass.

5. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a first series of lightsand cooperating indicia associated with said board designating plays inwhich the ball has been hit by the batter, a second series of lights andcooperating indicia designating called strikes and balls and indicatingthe location of said strikes and balls relatively to the plate or to thebatter when the batter chooses to let the pitch pass, pitchers selectiveswitch means representing throws pitched to the batter at differentpositions relatively to the plate or to the batter, batters selectiveswitch means vrepresenting swings by the batter at different positionsrelatively to the plate, and an electrical network connecting saidpitchers selective switch means and said batters selective switch meanswith said lights in a permanent relation whereby the plays resultingfrom the batter hitting the ball are positively predetermined inaccordance with the law of averages applicable to the location of thepitch as selected by the pitchers selective switch means and thelocation of the swing as selected by the batters selective switch means,and whereby the location of called strikes and balls relatively to theplate or to the batter will be indicated by the illumination ofappropriate lights of said second series.

6. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a first series of lights.and cooperating indicia associated with said board designating plays inwhich the ball has been hit by the batter, a second series of lights andcooperating indicia designating called strikes and balls and indicatingthe location of said strikes and balls relatively to the plate or to thebatter when the batter chooses to let the .pitch pass, a pitchersselective switch means said batters selective switch means are moved.

'7. In a baseball game of the class described,

' the combination of a game board having a playing field marked thereon,a first series of lights and cooperating indicia associated with saidboard designating plays in which the ball has been hit by the batter, asecond series of lights and cooperating indicia designating calledstrikes and balls and indicating the location of said strikes and ballsrelatively to the plate or to the batter, pitchers selective switchmeans representing throws pitched to the batter at different positionsrelatively to the plate or to the batter, batters selective switch meansrepresenting swings by the batter at diiierent positions relatively tothe plate, one of said selective switch means comprising a verticallyand laterally movable switch handle and a guide member having aplurality of notches therein for guiding the motion of said handle todifierent circuit closing positions, and an electrical networkconnecting said pitchers selective switch means and said battersselective switch means with said first and second series of lights,whereby the plays resulting from the batter hitting the ball arepredetermined in accordance with the law of averages applicable to theactual game.

8. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a series of lights andrelated indicia associated with said board designating different playsincluding the pitching of called strikes and balls and the indication ofthe location of these strikes and balls relatively to the plate when thebatter chooses to let the pitch pass, and pitchers selective switchmeans and batters selective switch means having cooperative electricalconnection with said lights in such relation that the plays resultingfrom the batter hitting the ball are predetermined in accordance withthe law of averages applicable to the actual game.

9. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a first series of lightsand cooperating indicia associated with said board designating plays inwhich the ball has been hit by the batter, a second series of lights andcooperating indicia associated with said board designating calledstrikes and balls and indicating the location of said strikes and ballsrelatively to the plate or to the batter, a plurality of pitchersselection switches representing throws pitched to the batter atdifierent positions relatively to the plate or to the batter, each ofsaid selection switches being of push button type comprising a pluralityof pairs of contacts adapted upon closing of the respective switch toengage with each other in circuit closing pairs maintained out ofcontact with adjacent pairs, a pitchers master switch controlling theenergization of all of said pitchers selection switches, battersselective switch means representing swings by the batter at differentpositions relatively to the plate, an electrical network connecting saidpitchers selection switches and said batters selective switch means withsaid lights whereby appropriately related pitches and swings willilluminate appropriate lights of said first series, and whereby thelocation of called strikes and balls relatively to the batter and to theplate will be indicated by the illumination of appropriate lights ofsaid second series, relay means electrically connected with a pluralityof contacts of the pairs of contacts included in said pitchers selectionswitches, rotary switch means responsive to said relay means, andtotalizing means responsive to said rotary switch means for totalizingthe ball count on each batter.

10. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a first series of lightsand cooperating indicia associated with said board designating plays inwhich the ball has been hit by the batter, a second series of lights andcooperating indicia designating called strikes and balls and indicatingthe location of said strikes and balls relatively to the plate or to thebatter, pitchers selective switch means representing throws pitched tothe batter at difierent positions relatively to the plate or to thebatter, batters selective switch means representing swings by the batterat different positions relatively to the plate, an electrical networkconnecting said pitchers selective switch means and said battersselective switch means with said lights whereby appropriately relatedpitches and swings will illuminate appropriate lights of said firstseries, and whereby the location of called strikes and balls relativelyto the plate or to the batter will be indicated by the illumination ofappropriate lights of said second series, relay means electricallyconnected with said pitchers selective switch means, rotary switch meansresponsive to said relay means, and totalizing means responsive to saidrotary switch means.

11. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination ofpitchers selecting switch means representing the throwing of the ball todifferent selected locations relative to the batter, batters selectiveswitch means representing the swinging of the bat at diiferentpositions, one of said. selectivev switch means comprising a switchlever movable in separate planes substantially at ing field markedthereon, a first series of lights I and cooperating indicia associatedwith said board designating plays in which the ball has been hit by thebatter, a second series of lights andcooperating indicia designatingcalled strikes and balls and indicating the location of said strikes andballs relatively to the plate or to the batter, pitchers selectiveswitch means representing throws pitched to the batter at differentpositions relatively to the plate or to the batter,

batters selective switch means representing swings by the batter atdifferent positions'relatively to the plate, and an electrical networkconnecting said pitcher's selective switch means and said battersselective switch means with said lights, which network, in effect,connects said lights in a series of columns and in a series of rows, theconductors'establishing the column relation being connected to saidpitchersselective switch means, and the conductors establishing the rowrelation being connected to said batters selective switch means.

14. In a baseball game of the class described,

the combination of pitchers selective switch means; batters selectiveswitch means, one of said switch means comprising a switch lever movablein separate planes substantially at right angles to each other forestablishing selective engagement with a plurality of contacts, amultiplicity of lights adapted to respond to said switch means, and aconnecting network between both of said selective switch means and saidlights, which, in eiiect, connects said lights in a series of columnsand in a series of rows, the conductors establishing the column relationbeing connected to said pitchers selective switch means,

and the conductors establishing the row relation being connected to saidbatters selective switch means.

15. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination ofpitchers selective switch means, batters sclectiveswitch' means, one ofsaid'switcli means comprising a'switch lever movable in separate planessubstantially at right angles to each other for establishing selectiveengagement with a plurality of contacts, a multiplicity oflights'adapted to respond to said switch means, and a connecting networkbetween both of. said selective switch means and said lights, which, ineffect, connects said lights in a series of columns and in aseriesofrows.

16. In. a baseball game of the class described, the combination ofpitchers selective switch means selectively operable to represent throwspitched to the batter at different positions relatively to the plate orto the batter, batters selective switch means selectively operable torepresent swings by the'batter at different positions relatively. to theplate, a multiplicity of lights adapted torespond to said switch means,one of said lightsdesignating strikes, and an electrical networkconnecting said pitchers selective switch means and said battersselective switch means with saidlights in a permanent relation wherebythe plays resulting from the batter hitting the ball are positivelypredetermined in accordance with the law of. averages applicable to thelocation of the pitch and to the location'of the swing as selected bythe aforesaid switch means, and whereby the energization of said lightdesignating strikes only occurs when the 'play is a strike, asdistinguished from a ball ora hit ball.

17. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a woodgame board having a series of holes cut therethrough in predeterminedlocations, a supportingsurface below said game board, a plurality ofelectric lights mounted on said supporting surface and positioned belowsaid holes to project light rays upwardly therethrough, reflectorsassociated with said lights for confining the light rays topredetermined holes, an imperforate sheet of paper pasted over the topsurface of said game board and closing the upper ends of said holes,said sheet having play designating legends letteredthereon so as to beilluminatedby the light rayscoming up through said holes, pitchersselective switch means representing throws pitched to the batter atdifferent positions relatively to the plate or to the batter,

electric lights;

18. In a baseball game of the 'class described, the combination of agame board having a series ofh'oles therethi'ough at predeterminedlocations, a plurality of electric lights positioned below said holesto'proiect light rays upwardly therethrough, reflectors associatedwithsaid lights for confining the light rays to predetermined holes, a sheetof translucent material extending across the top surface of said gameboard and over said holes, said sheet having play designating legendslettered thereon so as to be illuminated by the light rays coming upthrough said holes, and pitchers selective switch means and battersselective switch means electrically connected with said lights to causedifferent lights to be illuminated for representing diiierent plays.

19. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing iield marked thereon, a plurality of electriclights associated with said playing field for indicating diiierentplays, a plurality of pitchers &

selection switches representing throws pitched to the batter atdifferent positions relatively to the height of the batter and to thewidth of the plate, each of said selection switches being of push buttontype comprising a plurality of separate light selecting contacts andcoacting energizing contacts, the light selecting contacts of eachswitch remaining in separated open-circuit relation when the selectingswitch is in its normal position, and being all engaged with saidenergizing contacts when the selecting switch is in its closed position,a pitchers master switch electrically connected in series between thesource of working potential and the energizing contacts of all of saidpitchers selection switches, whereby the completion of any circuitthrough any one of said pitchers selection switches requires that thepitchers master switch be closed simultaneously with the selectedpitchers selection switch, a batters selection switch comprising avertically and laterally movable switch handle having universal jointmounting at its inner end, and a guide member having a plurality ofnotches therein for guiding the motion of the outer portion of saidhandle to different circuit closing positions representing differentplays by the batter including swings at different heights above theplate, an At bat signal, entrance contacts at the entrance ends of saidnotches connected to energize said At bat signal when engaged by saidswitch handle, light selecting contacts at the'far ends of said notchesadapted to be engaged by said switch handle, and a permanently relatednetwork of electrical connections between said electric lights and thelight selecting contacts of said pitchers selecting switches and thelight selecting contacts of said batters selecting switch.

20. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a plurality of electriclights associated with said playing field for indicating difierentplays, a plurality of pitchers selection switches representing throwspitched to the batter at different positions relatively to the height ofthe batter and to the width of the plate, each of said selectionswitches being of push button type comprising a plurality of separatelight selecting contacts and coacting energizing contacts, the lightselecting contacts of each switch remaining in separated open circuitrelation when the selecting switch is in its normal position, and beingall engaged with said energizing contacts when the selecting switch isin its closed position, a pitchers master switch electrically connectedin series between the source of working potential and the energizingcontacts of all of said pitchers selection switches, whereby thecompletion of any circuit through any one of said pitchers selectionswitches requires that the pitchers master switch be closedsimultaneously with the selected pitchers selecton switch, a battersselection switch comprising a vertically and laterally movable switchhandle having universal joint mounting at its inner end, and a guidemember having a plurality of notches therein for guiding the motion ofthe outer portion of said handle to' difierent circuit closing positionsrepresenting difierent plays by the batter including swings at differentheights above the plate, light selecting contacts in said notchesadapted to be engaged by said switch handle, and a network of electricalconnections between said electric lights and the light selectingcontacts of said pitchers selecting switches and the light selectingcontacts of said batters selecting switch.

21. In a baseball game of the class described, the combination of a gameboard having a playing field marked thereon, a plurality of electriclights associated with said playing field for indicating differentplays, a plurality of pitchers selection switches representing throwspitched to the batter at different positions relatively to the height ofthe batter and to the width of the plate, each of said selectionswitches being'of push button type comprising a plurality of separatelight selecting contacts and coacting energizing contacts, the lightselecting contacts of each switch remaining in separated open circuitrelation when the selecting switch is in its normal position, and beingall engaged with said energizing contacts when the selecting switch isin its closed position, a pitchers master switch electrically connectedin series between the source of working potential and the energizingcontacts of all of said pitchers selection switches, whereby thecompletion of any circuit through any one of said pitchers selectionswitches requires that the pitchers master switch be closedsimultaneously with the selected pitchers selection switch, a battersselection switch comprising a vertically and laterally movable switchhandle having universal joint mounting at its inner end, and a guidemember having a plurality of notches therein for guiding the motion ofthe outer portion of said handle to different circuit closing positionsrepresenting different plays by the batter including swings at differentheights above the plate, light selecting contacts'in said notchesadapted to be engaged by said switch handle, a network of electricalconnections between said electric lights and the light selectingcontacts of said pitchers selecting switches and the light selectingcontacts of said batters selecting switch, a relay having its windingconnected in series between said pitchers master switch and a pluralityof the energizing contacts of said pitchers selecting switches, astep-up solenoid responsive to the armature of said relay, a rotaryswitch adapted to be advanced by said step-up solenoid, and totalizingmeans responsive to said rotary switch.

DELBERT SPENCER ALEXANDER.

